Method of and apparatus for processing linear elements

ABSTRACT

Method of and apparatus for collecting linear material including means for feeding linear material, a driven rotatable collector, means for supplying a control signal having a patterned rate of change that is arranged to change the angular speed of the collector during package build-up to cause the collection speed of the linear material generally to approach the feed speeds and means effective in response to the sensed speed differences to change the patterned rate of change of the control signal to bring the collection speed of the linear material into matched relationship with the actual feed speed of the material.

United States Patent Klink et al.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING LINEAR ELEMENTS Inventors: Jerome P. Klink; Alex P. Symborski,

both of Gransville; Norman R. Shape, Columbus, all of Ohio [73] Assignee:

Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation, Toledo, Ohio Filed: Dec. 8, 1971 Appl. No.: 206,008

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Canfield Small et al.

Klink et al. 242/42 X 5/1970 Smith et a1 242/18 G 11/1963 Smith 242/18 G UX Primary Examiner-Stanley N. Gilreath Assistant Examiner-Milton S. Gerstein Attorney-Carl G. Staelin et al.

[57] ABSTRACT Method of and apparatus for collecting linear material including means for feeding linear material, a driven rotatable collector, means for supplying a control signal having a patterned rate of change that is arranged to change the angular speed of the collector during package build-up to cause the collection speed of the linear material generally to approach the feed speeds and means effective in response to the sensed speed differences to change the patterned rate of change of the control signal to bring the collection speed of the linear material into matched relationship with the actual feed speed of the material. I

27 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures PATENTEU NOV 13 I975 SHEET 16F 4 PACKAGE DIAMETER PATENTEUNIJV 13 ms v 3; 771, 324

SHEET 3 OF 4 A l STRAND PATH 5.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING LINEAR ELEMENTS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to production of continuous filaments of a thermoplastic material and more particularly to improvements for producing such filaments where production apparatus uses mechanical attenuation of filaments from streams of heated thermoplastic material. The invention is especially useful in producing continuous glass filaments and strands of these filamerits.

Normally heated thermoplastic materials such as molten glass are drawn into continuous filaments from streams flowing from a feeder holding a body of the heated material. Usually apparatus attenuates the streams into individual continuous filaments and combines them into a bundle or strand under the influence of pulling forces exerted directly by a winder. The winder collects the strand into a wound package on a collection tube mounted on a driven rotatable collet. The winders commonly used can collect strands at linear strand speeds up to 10,000 to 15,000 feet per minute or more.

This well known process has inherent shortcomings that influence the filaments, strands and wound packages. For example, the production apparatus uses the winding package itself to provide the attenuating forces. Consequently, repeated wraps of strand on the package with high strand tension gradually builds-up an increasing inward compressive force on the package. This compressive force can crush filaments and buckle interior strand layers. Then too, tension in the strand can bury strand by squeezing strand portions of overlying layers between and below strand portions of underlying layers. The buried strand can not be freely Withdrawn from the package; the entangled strand breaks. Also, the gradual build-up of the winding package effects changes in the strand collection speed for a given rotational speed of the winding collet. The buildup of a package increases its diameter and consequently its circumference. And circumferential surface speed of a winding package equals package circumference times the angular speed of the package. Hence, for a given angular collet speed the strand collection speed (and filament attenuation speed) during package build-up increases towards a maximum speed at the end of a packaging cycle. Under these conditions the filaments are smaller in diameter at the end of a package cycle than they are at the beginning of the cycle. Some packages collect strand for 60 minutes or more. Thus, speed differences (and hence filament diameter differences) can be considerable.

There have been attempts to overcome the difficulties. For instance, special complex collets have been made to apply an outward force against the inward compressive forces of a winding package- Such collets made package removal from collets easier but do not relieve tension within a package. Consequently, the results have been far from satisfactory.

Efforts have been made to overcome filament diameter non-uniformity in filament forming operations by controlling the viscosity of the streams and by attempting to keep a constant linear strand collection speed by varying the collet speed during formation of a package. However, it has only been practical to make these viscosity and collet speed variations in a linear fashion.

But the collection speed variations during package build-up change exponentially. Thus, prior efforts have not been fully successful.

Efforts have been made to overcome compressive forces in a'package from strand tension and to produce uniform filament diameters by use of pulling wheels rotated at a constant rotational speed. Here the pulling wheels are between a stream feeder and a collecting device. This prior apparatus uses winders that rotate a collecting package on a collet or spindle with only sufficient force to take-up strand as strand is made available to it by the pulling wheel. ln these prior arrangements a constant torque or constant horse power motor is normally used to rotate the collet. Increased package size (mass) cause these motors to reduce rotational speed and thus the tension in the collecting strands reduces. The apparatus does reduce high strand tensions (compressive forces) in a wound package and produces filaments of uniform tension. But the apparatus does not control tension in a strand.

Further, prior apparatus has lacked stability in high speed strand collection operations. The instability in operation of the apparatus tends to produce linear strand speed variations that jerk strands. Such a situation is particularly harsh on strand in processes using apparatus required to cooperate by matching linear strand speeds. And apparatus producing strand speed changes can be especially disastrous to glass filaments because they are essentially inextensible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is improved method and apparatus for forming continuous filaments from heatedthermoplastic filament forming material'such as molten glass;

Another object of the invention is improved apparatus for forming continuous filaments from heated thermoplastic filament forming material, such as molten glass, and subsequently combining the filaments into a strand and collecting the strand into a wound package at a selected tension.

Yet another object of the invention is improved apparatus for matching strand collection speed with a strand feed speed during collection of a wound strand package.

Still another object of the invention is improved method and apparatus for processing linear elements.

The above and other objects are attained by apparatus for and method of collecting linear material that includes means for linearly feeding linear material and means for receiving the fed material where one of the means is predeterminedly variable in its linear speed during advancement of the material; the other means is to be matched thereto during advancement of the material. The invention further includes means for sensing the differences between the speeds of the feeding means and the receiving means and means effective in response to the sensed differences between the speeds to bring the speed of the other means into conformity with actual linear speed of the one means.

Further, the objects embrace use of apparatus for packaging linear material into a wound package that keeps linear material traversing apparatus in predetermined spaced relationship with packages during collection of the packages.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the invention is described more clearly in detail with references made to the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of apparatus embodying the principles of the invention. FIG. 1 shows a continuous glass filament forming operation where a filament pulling device attenuates glass filaments and a take-up winder collects glass strand as a wound package.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view, partially in section, of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1. The section is taken along lines 2-2 in FIG. 1.

' FIG. 3 is a back elevation view in section .of the winder shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The section is taken along lines 3-3 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the strand traversing portion of the winder shown in FIGS. 1 through 3. The dashed lines indicate packages being collected by the winder.

FIG. 5 is a simple flow diagram of controls used with the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 6 is a more detailed, but still simplified showing, of the controls shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a somewhat enlarged plan view of the strand engaging transducer or sensor shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of the transducer shown in FIG. 7 taken along the lines 8-8.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing change in the diameter of a package during collection versus time. The graph generally shows the rate at which a package builds-up during collection.

FIG. 10 is a modified transducer arrangement.

FIG. 11 is an embodiment of controls used to maintain the strand traversing apparatus of the winder shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 at a predetermined spaced relationship with winding packages.

FIG. 12 is a view in elevation of drive apparatus for moving the strand traversing support of the winder shown in FIGS. 1 through 3.

FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a simplified front view in elevation of a continuous glass filament forming apparatus using the winder shown in FIGS. 1 through 3. The winder is shown without use of a rotary filament pulling device. FIG. 15 is a side view in elevation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a simple flow diagram of controls for use with the apparatus shown in FIGS. 14 and 15.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The method and apparatus of the invention are particularly valuable in processes forming filaments from heat softened fiber forming mineral material such as molten glass where temperature and filament processing speeds affect fiber diameter. Yet, method and apparatus embodying the principles of the invention are also useful in processing and packaging bundles of textile filaments made from other thermoplastic fiber forming materials. Thus, the disclosed glass fiber forming operation is only an example used to explain the operation of the invention. The invention has wider application in a variety of filament forming operations and processing operations for linear material generally.

The apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 show a continuous glass filament forming operation embodying the principles of the invention. The apparatus as shown uses a rotary filament pulling device to form continuous glass fiaments at a constant filament forming speed. Further, the apparatus, as shown, combines the filaments into two strands and collects the strands below the rotary pulling device at selected strand tension. Normally such strand tension is less than the sum of the tension in the filaments above the rotary pulling device. The filament pulling device is between a collector and a source of molten glass streams from which the glass filaments are drawn. Hence, the filament pulling device isolates or separates the glass filament forming tension in the filaments above the device from the filaments collected as strands below the device. Associated apparatus introduces a predetermined or selected tension, normally in the range of from 30 to 200 grams, into the glass strands between the filament pulling device and the collector.

The collector matches the strand collection speed with the speed the rotary pulling device feeds the strands to the collector.

The embodiment shown collects two packages; however, one can use the apparatus of the invention to collect one package or more than two packages.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a container or feeder 10 that holds a body of molten glass. The feeder 10 can receive a continuing supply of molten glass by several known ways. For example, a forehearth can supply molten glass to the feeder 10 from a furnace heating batch materials to molten glass. Also, a melter associated with the feeder 10 can supply molten glass to the feeder by reducing glass marbles to a heat-softened condition. At the ends of the feeder are terminals 12 that connect to a source of electrical energy to heat the feeder 10 by conventional resistance heating. Such heating keeps the molten glass in the feeder 10 at proper fiberforming temperatures and viscosities. The feeder 10 has a bottom 14 with orifices or passageways for delivering streams 16 of molten glass from the feeder 10. As shown depending orifices projections or tubular members 18 define the openings in the bottom 14.

The feeder 10 is normally made of platinum or an alloy of platinum.

The molten glass streams 16 are attenuated downwardly into individual continuous glass filaments 20. Gathering shoes 22 and 24 below the feeder 10 combine the continuous glass filaments 20 into two bundles or strands 26 and 28 respectively.

Normally apparatus applies both water and a liquid sizing or other protective coating material to the filaments 20. As shown nozzles 30 and 32 adjacent to the bottom 14 of the feeder 10 direct water spray onto the continuous glass filaments 20 before the shoes 22 and 24combine the filaments 20 into the glass strands 26 and 2s.

A sizing applicator 36 supported within a housing 38 just above the gathering shoes 22 and 24 applies a liquid sizing or other coating material to the swiftly traveling continuous glass filaments 20. The applicator may be any suitable type of applicator known to the art; however, the applicator 36 is shown as an endless belt moved through liquid held in the housing 38. As the continuous glass filaments 20 speed in touching relationship across the surface of the moving endless belt applicator 36, some of the liquid on the surface transfers to them.

A pulling wheel 40 attentuates the continuous glass filaments 20 at a constant speed from the molten glass streams 16 supplied by the feeder 10. The pulling wheel 40 is rotatably mounted on a housing 42 located just below the shoes 22 and 24. A motor 44 within the housing 42 rotates the pulling wheel at a constant high angular speed. In practice the motor 44 is normally an induction motor.

The pulling wheel 40 is normally about 12 inches in diameter. The motor 44 can rotate the wheel 40 sufficiently fast to withdraw the continuous glass filaments 20 from the streams 16 at linear speeds up to 12,000 feet per minute and faster.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the strands 26 and 28 proceed from the shoes 22 and 24 over a strand alignment shoe 46 having circumferential grooves 48 and 49 into contact with a smooth circumferential surface 45 of the pulling wheel 40. The shoe 46 aligns the paths of the traveling strands for spaced apart mutually parallel relationship on the smooth circumferential surface 45 of the pulling wheel 40, the strands being disposed substantially parallel to the circumferential center line of the pulling wheel 40. In FIG. 1 the strands 26 and 28 come into contact with the pulling wheel 40 at the right hand side of the wheel 40 and leave the wheel at its left hand side.

The alignment shoe 46 is somewhat to the right and above the pulling wheel 40.

From the pulling wheel 40 the strands 26 and 28 advance upwardly and turn over the top of a spool or roller 54 rotatably mounted on the end of an arm 56. The arm 56 is pivotally mounted on the housing 42. In FIG. 1 the roller 54 and arm 56 are somewhat above and slightly to the left of the pulling wheel 40. A spring 58 within the housing 42 biases the arm 56 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1. The biasing force of the spring 58 introduces selected tension intothe traveling strands 26 and 28. The introduced tension is selected to permit the build of desired stable wound packages. The locations of the alignment shoe 46 and the roller 54 promote non-slipping engagement between the wet traveling strands 26 and 28 and the speeding peripheral surface 45 of the pulling wheel 40. Normally an engagement of the strands along from 60 to 80 percent of the length of the peripheral surface 45 is sufficient to insure non-slipping engagement between the surface 45 and the wet strands 26 and 28. Angle A in FIG. 1 represents the angular engagement of the strands 26 and 28 along theperipheral surface 45 of the wheel 40. Angle A is normally from 240 to 300; an angle of from 250 to 280 is normally preferred for pulling wheels having a diameter of 11 to 12 inches.

To promote non-slipping engagement between the wet strands 26 and 28 and the pulling wheel 40, the wheel 40 as shown uses an annular layer 60 of polyurethane. The layer 60 forms the smooth circumferential surface 45 of the wheel 40. At times it can be useful to control the surface finish, e.g. to somewhat roughen the circumferential surface 45, to enhance engagement between the surface and the wet strands.

The diameter of the pulling wheel 40 and the increased non-slipping engagement from a surfacing layer like layer 60 enhances the non-slipping filament pulling capacity of the wheel 40, which can be used in filament forming operations having filament forming tensions as high as 700 grams or higher. Filament forming tension is the total or summation of tension in each of the filaments 20 above the applicator 30.

The pulling wheel 40 feeds the strands 26 and 28 at a constant linear strand speed to a winder below. The strands travel from the pulling wheel 40 across the roller 54 and strand alignment shoes 62 and 64 to the winder 70.

The winder 70 collects the strands 26 and 28 as essentially identical wound packages 72 and 74 respectively on collectors. These collectors are shown as tubes 76 and 78 telescoped over a spindle or collet 80. A drive within the winder 70 rotates the collet 80.

Strand traversing apparatus 82 of the winder 70 reciprocates the strands26 and 28 back and forth lengthwise of the packages 72 and 74 (collet 80) to distribute the advancing strands on their respective packages during package formation. Strand movement effected by the strand traversing apparatus 82 is a combination of a fast primary strand reciprocating motion and a slower secondary strand reciprocating motion.

One can better understand the strand traversing apparatus 82 by looking at the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 through 4. The strand traversing apparatus 82 includes strand guides 88 held in spaced relation adjacent to the packages 72 and 74 by a support arrangement. The guides 88 slide in a slot lengthwise of a horizontally extending tubular cam support housing 90 projecting from the frame 92 of the winder 70. Rotatably mounted within the support housing 90 are identical co-axially joined together cylindrical or barrel earns 96 with surface guide grooves 98. Cam'followers 100 connect the strand guides 88 with the grooves 98 of the barrel cams 96. As the cams 96 rotate, the strand guides 88 recipro cate along the slot in the housing 90 lengthwise of the collet 80 (packages 72 and 74). As shown the cam support housing 90 and the cams 88 extend co-axially. And the housing 90 extends in a direction parallel to the collet 80 with its axis in the same horizontal plane with the axis of the collet 80.

As shown the strand guides 88 are hooked at their ends to keep the strands 26 and 28 engaged.

As the earns 96 reciprocate the strand guides 88, the guides reciprocate'the strands 26 and 28 lengthwise of the collecting packages 72 and 74.

The winder 70 includes a drive arrangement comprising a motor/clutch 102 within the winder housing 92. The drive arrangement effects rotation of the cams 96 and rotation of the collet 80 at a controlled speed ratio. The desired package design determines the ratio.

The motor/clutch drive 102 includes a constant speed electric motor 104 that drives the rotor of an associated eddy-current clutch 106. The clutch 106 has an output shaft 108. Magnetic forces within the clutch 106 transfer torque from the rotor driven by the motor 104 to the output shaft 108. In practice the motor 104 is an induction motor.

The motor/clutch 102 is a variable speed drive. In operation the speed of the motor 104 remains constant; however, changes in flux density (magnetic forces) within the clutch 106 vary the amount of the motors constant speed rotational energy output transferred to the output shaft 108. The greater the flux density the larger is the percentage of motor output transferred to the output shaft 108.

The drive 102 rotates the collet 80 through a nonslipping belt connecting the output shaft 108 with a collet drive shaft 112 above the drive 102. The rotating collet drive shaft 112 rotates the collet 80. The shaft 112 is co-axial with the collet 80 and is rotatably held by a bearing mounting assembly 114.

Rotational energy from the collet drive shaft 112 moves the strand traversing apparatus 82 through nonslipping belts 116 and 118. The belt 116 connects the collet drive shaft 112 and a rotatably mounted idler shaft 119 of an idler assembly 120. The belt 118 connects the idler shaft 119 with a cam drive shaft 124 that connects to and rotates the earns 96. The drive shaft 124 is co-axial of the cams 96 and is rotatably mounted by a gearing support assembly 126 and the vertical end plate 128 of a movable carriage 130.

As the packages 72 and 74 build on the rotating collet 80, the diameter of each of the packages increases. And for any given angular collet speed an increase in package diameter increases the speed of the circumferential or axial surface of each of the packages 72 and 74. Hence, the strand collection speed would increase with increasing package diameter if there were no offsetting reduction in the angular speed of the collet 80.

Accordingly, the invention includes means for controlling the angular speed of the collet 80 to offset increases in strand collection speed from increasing package size during strand collection. As shown, controls modify collet speed through the drive 102. Such controls are effective to maintain a strand collection speed equal to the constant strand supply speed from the rotating pulling wheel 40 throughout build-up of the packages 72 and 74.

The controls include means for establishing a control signal effective to modify the rotational speed of the collet 80 in accordance with a patterned rate of change that, in general, will effect a package build-up at a linear strand speed matched to the speed of strand feed. The controls further include means for sensing the differences between the linear rate of supply and linear rate of collection and means effective in response to such sensed speed differences to modify the patterned rate of change of the control signal to bring the linear rate of strand collection into conformity with the actual the material and the other means is to be matched thereto. To effect the matching the invention includes control means supplying a control signal having a patterned rate of change that is effective to modify the speed of the matching speed means to approach in genera] the speed of the predeterminedly variable speed means. Further, the invention provides means for sensing the differences between the speeds of the feeding means and receiving means and means effective in response to the sensed speed differences to bring the matching speed means into conformity with the actual speed of the predetermined variable speed means.

FIG. 5 shows a general block diagram embodiment of controls according to the principles of the invention. In the embodiment a controller 140 varies voltage signals to the eddy-current clutch 106 to control the rotational speed of the collet during collection of the wound packages 72 and 74. ln the embodiment the controller receives voltage signals from a sensing transducer 142 and receives a constant DC voltage signal from a suitable DC source such as a battery 144. The changing output voltage of the controller 140 controls the magnetic field strength of the eddy-current clutch 106 to effectively match the strand collection speed with the strand supply speed as the packages 72 and 74 increase in diameter. For improved stability the controller 140 receives feedback voltage signals from a tachometer 146; the tachometer signals are a measurement of the actual angular speed of the clutch output shaft 108 (and hence the collet 80).

Referring to FIG. 6, the controller 140 includes an integrator 150, a major summing junction J,, and an amplifier 154. The integrator 150 includes resistance 156 in a line 158, an operational amplifier 160 and an integrating capacitor 162 bridged between the input and output of the operational amplifier 160. A line 164 connects the output of the operational amplifier 160 (integrator 150) with the summing junction J A line 166 connects the summing junction J 1 with the amplifier 154. A package build switch 167 is in the line 164 between the junction J 1 and the integrator 150.

The battery 144 supplies a constant voltage to the summing junction J 1 through a line 168.

The tachometer 146 supplies its signal to the summing junction .1 through a voltage divider 170, e.g. a potentiometer, in a line 171. The setting of the voltage divider establishes the operating rotational speed of the collet 80 at the start of package build.

The voltage from the summing junction J in line 166 is the algebraic summation of all the voltages supplied to the junction 1,. As illustrated the voltage applied to junction 1, by the battery 168 is positive; the voltage applied to junction I by the integrator 150 is a generally increasing negative voltage; the voltage applied to junction J by the tachometer 146 is a negative voltage.

The increasing negative voltage from the integrator 150 reduces the voltage from the junction J 1 (the controller 140) throughout the build-up of the packages 72 and 74. Hence, the reducing voltage from the controller 140 correspondingly reduces the rotational speed of the collet 80 during package collection.

The amplifier 154 amplifies the voltage signals'from the junction J to put them at proper strength for use by the eddy-current clutch 106. v

The integrator 150 provides a steadily changing electrical output signal that increases proportionately to the negative time integral of input voltage. Hence, for a given constant input voltage the integrator 150 supplies an output voltage that has a polarity opposite to the input voltage and that builds (increases) linearly with respect to time. Accordingly, for a given constant positive input voltage the output voltage from the integrator 150 increases in a negative direction at a constant rate of change. For different positive input voltages the linear rate of change of the integrator output voltage can be made rapid (a steep slope) with respect to time or made to be slower (a more gradual slope) with respect to time. For example, larger positive integrator input voltages produce higher rates of output from a junction J through line 158. The junction J receives negative DC voltage through a potentiometer 175 in line 176; negative voltage from a suitable source is applied to the line 176 at L The junction J receives positive DC voltage in line 178-through a resistance 179; positive voltage from a suitable source is applied to the line 178 at L The voltages from L and L oppose each other, and there is no input voltage to the controller 140 when the voltage effective at junction I is zero with respect to ground.

In the embodiment shown the transducer 142 includes the junction J potentiometer 175, the pivotally mounted arm 56 and its spool or roller 54. The transducer 142 can be more fully understood by considering FIGS. 7 and 8 together with FIG. 6. As shown the potentiometer 176 within the housing 42 has a control shaft 182. The shaft 182 extends through the wall 184 of the housing 42 and holds the arm 56. The arm 56 is fixed on the shaft 182. Hence, any pivotal movement of the arm 56 moves the shaft 182 about its axis and accordingly modifies the output voltage of the potentiometer 175.

The biasing force of the spring 58 urges the arm 56 to pivot about the shaft 182 in a clockwise direction (as viewed in the figures) into the strands 26 and 28 turning on the roller or wheel 54. As shown a lever arm 188 is fixed at one end to the potentiometer control shaft 182. The lever arm 188 extends from the control shaft 182 in a direction opposite to the arm 56. The spring 58 connects to the lever arm 188 and produces a torque in the control shaft 182 urging the arm 56 into the strands 26 and 28. Thus, the arm 56, shoe 54 and biasing arrangement form a sensor that engages the strands 26 and 28 to sense the relationship between the strand collection and feed speeds.

The transducer 142 has a no output voltage position for the arm 56 where no current signals flow from the junction 1;. In such a position the output voltage from the potentiometer 175 and the voltage supplied to the junction J from L effect a zero voltage at J In practice a horizontal position from the arm 56 has provided a satisfactory no output voltage position for the transducer 142. Other no output voltage" positions can be used.

As the arm 56 is moved progressively downwardly from the horizontal, the potentiometer 175 is arranged to give smaller negative output voltages. Consequently, an increasing positive current is applied to the line 158 as the arm 56 moves progressively downwardly.

When the arm 56 moves above the horizontal position, the size of the voltage applied at L is sufficient to produce a negative voltage from the potentiometer 174 larger in magnitude than the positive voltage applied at L Hence, when the arm 56 is above the horizontal position, negative current is applied to the line 158 from the junction 1,. Normally the arm remains below the horizontal during package build-up. Thus, the current applied to the line 158 is normally positive.

In operation the transducer 142 senses the relationship between the strand feed rate of the pulling wheel 40.and strand collection rate of the winder 70 and includes means that provides a signal in response to the sensed differences between the rate of feed and rate of collection of the material. When the strand collection speed is greater than the strand supply speed, the length of the strands 26 and 28 shortens between the pulling wheel 40 and the packages 72 and 74. Hence,

the strands 26 and 28 pull the arm 54 downwardly (counter clockwise). The negative voltage from the potentiometer 175 becomes smaller. A larger positive voltage is supplied to the controller 140 from the junction J On the other hand, when the strand collection speed is less than the strand supply speed, the length of the strands 26 and 28 increases between the pull wheel 40 and the packages 72 and 74. Hence, the strands 26 and 28, in a sense, develop slack that permits the biasing force of the spring 58 to move the arm 56 upwardly. The negative voltage from the potentiometer 175 becomes larger in magnitude. Accordingly, a smaller positive voltage is supplied from the junction J to the controller 140.

In operation at the beginning of package build, the axial surfaces of the collectors 76 and 78 and the pulling wheel 40 are brought up to equal speeds with the switch 167 open. The switch 167 is closed and the build of the packages 72 and 74 begins. Immediately their diameters begin to increase. And consequently the strand collection speed begins to accelerate beyond the strand supply speed from the pulling wheel 40. Quickly the accelerating strand speed shortens the lengths of the strands 26 and 28 between the pulling wheel 41 and winder 70. The shortening strand length pulls the arm 56 downwardly below the horizontal until the positive voltage from the transducer 142 to the integrator 150 causes the integrator 150 (controller 140) to provide a control voltage signal having a patterned rate of change with respect to time that reduces the speed of the collet 80 (through the eddy-current clutch 106) in accordance with the build-up of the package at that moment. In this initial equilibrium condition the reducing angular speed of the collet 80 keeps the strand collection speed matched to the strand supply speed from the pulling wheel 40. In other words, the patterned voltage signal from the controller resulting from the initial equilibrium voltage supplied by the transducer 142 is effective initially to keep the collection speed of the strands 26 and 28 equal to the supply speed from the pulling wheel 40.

But the initial voltage output from the controller 140 reduces linearly with respect to time and the build-up of the packages 72 and 74 increases strand collection speed nonlinearly. Hence, the initial linear voltage pattern from the controller 140 (established by the initial equilibrium voltage supplied by the transducer 142) is only in general accordance with the build-up of the packages. Thus, matching strand collection and strand supply speeds is only temporary.

Package build is shown in FIG. 9. As one can see the build-up of the packages 72 and 74 is the most rapid when package build beings. Package build-up slows as the packages 72 and 74 become larger in diameter. In practice, it has been found that the changes (increases) in package diameter during package build occur in a complex nonlinear manner having both parabolic and exponential characteristics. Hence, the curve illustrated in FIG. 9 has both exponential and parabolic characteristics.

Hence, the linear voltage slope from the controller 140 (integrator established by the intital equilibrium transducer voltage is steeper than required to keep the strand collection speed equal to the strand supply speed. Therefore, the strand collection speed quickly becomes slower than the strand delivery speed from'the pulling wheel 40. Slack develops in the strands 26 and 28 that permits the biasing force of the spring 58 to move the transducer arm 56 upwardly. Such upward movement of the arm 56 reduces the positive voltage from the transducer 142 until a new equilib rium condition exists. That is, the arm 56 is permitted to move until the slope of the voltage from the controller 140 (integrator 150) matches the rate of collet speed reduction with the rate of package build-up at that moment.

Throughout build of the packages 72 and 74 equilibrium conditions are repeatedly established. In the embodiment shown equilibrium conditions are, for practical purposes, being continuously established. Under such conditions the positive voltage from the transducer 142 to the controller 140 reduces throughout package build-up and the slope of the controller output voltage continuously changes from an initial steep slope to more gradual slopes.

In a sense one may consider the controls providing instantaneous control voltages changing with instantaneous rates of change matched with instantaneous accelerations in the strands 26 and 28 throughout package build. These control signals are effective to change the patterned rate of change of the control signal to maintain a substantially constant collection speed equal to the strand feed speed from the pulling wheel 40.

The summation of all the instantaneous voltage slopes from the controller 142 plots a curve in conformity with the curve of diameter change with respect to time as shown in FIG. 9.

If necessary the controls can keep stable operation during times an increase in rotational speed of the collet 80 is needed. Such a situation occurs during times the collection speed is considerably below the feed speed from the pulling wheel 40. Slack in the strands 26 and 28 allows the biasing force of the spring 58 to move the arm 56 above its no voltage signal position (above the horizontal). A negative current flows in the line 150. The growing negative integrator output signal is reduced. The output voltage from the controller 140 increases, which effects an increasing angular collect speed.

Normally, an increase in angular speed of the collet 80 is not necessary. Hence, it is believed possible to use a transducer 142' as shown in FIG. 10. In the arrangement the potentiometer 175 supplies a positive voltage (applied across L and L directly to the controller 140. A transducer like the transducer 142 is preferred.

' Under some circumstances it may be advantageous to bring the rates of strand collection and delivery into conformity in response to differences between them without changing the patterned rate of change of the control signal. For example, one might regulate the electrical power supply to the clutch 106 (and hence regulate the angular speed of the collet 80) by supplying the signals from means sensing the differences between the rates of strand delivery and collection (e.g. transducer 142) directly to the summing junction 1,. Accordingly, the patterned signal from the integrator 150 and the signals from the means sensing the differences between the rates of strand delivery and collection combine at the summing junction J This variation in the speed control system can be incorporated in the same unit as described above and might be resorted to as desired by operation of a snap switch or alternately might be accomplished automatically such as at the designed limits of operation by changing the patterned rate of change of the control signal.

It is believed possible to use other means for providing a control signal changing generally in accordance with the build-up of packages like packages 72 and 74. For example, one might use an R-C circuit having a condenser voltage curve for a given voltage changing at a patterned rate generally corresponding to the build-up of the packages. Means such as a transducer 142 and 142 would supply control signals to the RC circuit in response to sensed speed differences between the strand supply and collection speeds to modify the reference voltage. Also, one might control the amplifier section of an integrator circuit in response to sensed speed differences effective to modify amplification of an input voltage to provide a changing output signal that effects a constant strand collection speed.

One might use other transducers. For example, one might use a transducer engaging the traveling strands 26 and 28 between the wheel 40 and winder to sense tension as an indication of the differences in the strand delivery and collection speeds. One might use a transducer like the transducer disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,526,130.

The invention envisions a sensor for indicating the differences in strand collection and delivery speeds that does not engage the strands. For example, it is believed possible to use a doppler shift laser to measure differences in the circumferential surface speeds of the pulling wheel 40 and the packages 72 and 74.

The embodiment shown uses the pulling wheel 40 to feed strands at a constant speed to the winder 70; however, the invention envisions other embodiments where the pulling wheel 40 or another strand feeding means supplies strands at various speeds. In such situations the controls operate to match strand collection speed with various strand feed speeds during packages collection. Also, the invention embraces the use of the controls for matching the delivery speed of linear material with changing collection speeds of the material, e.g. rotating the collet at a constant angular speed throughout package build. I

The winder 70 senses the angular speed of the collet 80 as an indication of the size of the packages 72 and 74 during collection and includes means responsive to sensed angular speed for effectively moving the strand traversing apparatus 82 away from the collet 80 to maintain the traversing guides 88 in predetermined spaced relation to their respective packages throughout collection of the packages. The hooked guides 88 move the engaging strands 26 and 28 with them as the hooks move with the support arrangement during collection of the packages.

Controlling the relationship between the packages 72 and 74 and strand traversing apparatus promotes improved strand control throughout package build and hence improved package build.

As more clearly seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, the carriage 130 is movableon the winder 70. And the cam housing 90 is carried by the carriage 130. Hence, the housing 90 moves with the carriage 130. The cam housing 90 and carriage move horizontally.

As shown the carriage 130 includes a base in addition to the vertical end plate 128. The carriage 130 slides lengthwise on two horizontal parallel support rods, rod 192 and 194, that are stationary within the winder 70. These rods extend through passageways in the base 190; the passageways extend in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the collet 80 (packages 72 and 74). Hence, the carriage 180 and cam housing 90 are movable in a horizontal plane towards and away from the collet 80 in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the collet 80. The winder frame 92 includes an elongated opening 191 permitting movement of the strand traversing apparatus 82 (cam housing 90).

FIGS. 11 through 14 show controls for positioning the carriage 130 throughout package build-up to keep a predetermined spaced relationship between the packages 72 and 74 and the strand traverse guides 88. A switch 198 completes the control circuit. The switch 198 can be manually closed to complete the circuit or v automatically closed to complete the circuit when the collet 80 arrives at operating speed to begin package collection. Referring to FIG. 11, a battery 200 supplies a constant positive DC voltage to a potentiometer 202. The output voltage of the potentiometer 202 travels to a summing junction J through a lead 204. The tachometer 146 provides a negative DC signal to the junction J through a lead 210. When the voltages supplied to the junction J are unbalanced, the junction J supplies an electrical signal through an output lead 212 (through switch 198) to a grounded solenoid coil or electromagnet 216 that operates to close a normally open armature switch 218. The switch 218 is in a circuit supplying electrical energy to a motor 220; a suitable commercial electrical source supplies electrical energy to the circuit across L and L The motor 220 is energized when the armature 218 is closed.

The energized motor 220 concurrently drives the slider of the potentiometer 202 and actuates a drive system that moves the carriage 130.

When the voltage from the potentiometer 202 and the tachometer 146 are equal, there is no electrical output from the junction J hence, the armature switch 218, which is normally open, remains open. As the voltage from the tachometer 146 decreases from the decreasing angular output speed of the clutch 106, the solenoid coil 216 becomes energized from the higher voltage into the junction J 3 from the potentiometer 202. The coil 216 closes the armature switch 218; and the motor 220 effects movement of the slider of the potentiometer 202 to reduce potentiometer output voltage until the output voltage is equal to the output voltage from the tachometer 146. The solenoid coil 216 then becomes de-energized. The armature switch 218 opens and the motor 220 becomes de-engerized.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show more of the strand traverse position control apparatus in a control box 224 mounted on the base 190 of the carriage 130. Mounted near the top of the control box 224 is the electrical motor 220 with a sheave 226 on the output shaft 228 of the motor 220. Mounted below the motor 220 in the control box 224 is the potentiometer 202 with a sheave 230 on a slider control shaft 232 of the potentiometer. At the bottom region of the control box is a carriage drive including a rotatably mounted drive screw 235 in a threaded passageway 238 in the base 190 of the carriage 130. An unthreaded portion 242 of the drive screw 236 carries sheaves 244 and 246.

The energized motor 220 rotates the drive screw 236 and moves the slider of the potentiometer 202. A belt riding in sheaves 226 and 244 connects the motor output shaft 228 with the drive screw 236. A belt 252 riding in sheaves 230 and 246 connect the drive screw with the slider control shaft 232.

As the motor 220 rotates, the slider control shaft 232 moves the slider of the potentiometer 202 and the drive screw 236. The rotating drive screw 236 moves the carriage 130 away from the collect (collecting packages) until the potentiometer voltage equals the voltage from the tachometer 146. The coil 126 then becomes de-energized; the switch 218 then opens to de-energize the motor 220.

In practice the motor 220 is a slow rpm motor such as SLO-SYN made by the Superior Electric Company.

An operator can select a desired position relationship between the guides 88 and collecting packages, e.g. packages 72 and 74. Because the collet speed at the beginning of package collection is controlled and hence known, an operator can adjust a trim potentiometer 260 to bring the voltage from the potentiometer 202 into balance with the known beginning voltage from the tachometer 146. Hence, the operator moves the cam housing 90 (carriage 130) to a selected location to position the guides 88. Such movement also moves the slider of potentiometer 202. Thus, the operator merely adjusts the trim potentiometer 260 to provide voltage from the potentiometer 202 at the beginning of package build-up that matches the tachometer voltage.

The idler assembly permits movement of the carriage without parting the drive belts 116 and 118. As shown the idler 120 includes the rotatable idler shaft 119, bearing box 270, position arm 272, support member 274 and support bracket 276.

The support member 274 and bracket 276 hold the bearing box 270 and shaft 119 above the carriage 90. The bearing box 270 is movable about the axis of the support member 274 by swing legs 277 and 278.

The position arm 272 connects the shaft 119 and cam drive shaft 124 to keep these shafts at a constant spaced distance from the belt 118. The arm 272 pushes (swings) the shaft 119 and its gear box upwardly around the axis of shaft support member 274 as the carriage 130 moves towards the collet 80. The reverse is true as the carriage 130 moves away from the collet 80.

The swinging movement of the assembly 120 keeps both the belts 116 and 118 in driving relationship on their respective sheaves.

The winder 70 provides for the slower secondary strand traversing motion by apparatus reciprocating the cam housing 90. Such apparatus includes a motor 280, spur gears 282 and 284, cam 2186 and follower 288. In the embodiment shown, the cam 286 is a wheel cam fixed on a rotatable shaft 290. The motor 280 rotates the wheel cam 286 through the meshing spur gears 282 and 284. The follower 288 includes a pin 292 engaging the peripheral groove 294 on the wheel cam 286. The follower 288 is secured on the cam drive shaft 124. As the shaft 290 turns the wheel 286, the wheel reciprocates the follower 288. Hence, the cam wheel 286 reciprocates the cam housing 90 through the follower 288. A conventional spline arrangement (not shown) can be used to permit the shaft 124 to move back and forth along its axis and still be driven in rotation.

One can use various cam wheels to provide secondary strand traversing motions having different stroke lengths. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 it has been useful to use a short secondary reciprocating stroke length of from V; inch and less.

The winder 70 is shown in combination with apparatus for modifying the angular speed of the collet 80 (packages 72 and 74) exponentially. But the winder 70 can be used with apparatus modifying the angular speed of the collet 80 in a linear fashion. Moreover, the winder 70 can be used to pull linear elements from a source, e.g. pull glass strands without the use of a filament pulling device like the pulling wheel 40.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate the winder 70 without a pulling arrangement above it. As shown a feeder 310 supplies molten glass streams 316 from tips 318. The winder 70withdraws continuous glass filaments 320 from the streams 316. Gathering shoes 322 and 324 combine the filaments 320 into two strands, i.e. strands 326 and 328. A sizing applicator 336 held in a housing 338 applies liquid sizing or other coating material. The strands 322 and 324 wind as packages 372 and 374.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 one can use known ways to modify the speed of strand collection as the packages 372 and 374 increase in size. FIG. 16 shows a control using the controller 140 without a transducer. In FIG. 16 a source of DC voltage 380 supplies a constant voltage input to the integrator 150.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for packaging linear material comprismg:

means for feeding linear material;

a rotatable collector for collection of the material into a wound package; means for rotating the collector; means for supplying a control signal having a patterned rate of change that is effective to modify the rotational speed of the collector during package build-up to cause the linear rate of collection of the material to approach in general the linear rate of feed of the material;

means for sensing differences between the linear rate of feed and the linear rate of collection of the material; and

means effective in response to the sensed differences between the linear rate of feed and linear rate of collection to change the patterned rate of change of the control signal to bring the linear rate of collection of the material into conformity with the actual linear rate of feed of the material.

2. Apparatus of claim 1 in which the means for feeding linear material is a rotary device.

3. Apparatus of claim 2 in which the means for feeding the linear material includes means for feeding the linear material at uniform linear speeds.

4. Apparatus for collecting strand comprising:

means for feeding strand at a constant linear speed; a rotatable collector for collection of the strand into a wound package;

means for rotating the collector;

means for supplying a control signal having a patterned rate of change that is effective to modify the rotational speed of the collector during package build-up to cause the linear rate of collection to approach in general the constant linear rate of feed;

means for sensing differences between the linear rate of strand feed and the linear rate of strand collection; and

means effective in response to the sensed differences between the rate of feed and rate of collection to change the patterned rate of change of the control signal to bring the linear rate ofstrand collection into conformity with the constant linear rate of strand feed.

5. Apparatus for collecting strand comprising:

a rotary means for feeding strand at a constant linear speed; a rotatable collector for collection of the strand into a wound package;

means for rotating the collector;

means for supplying a control signal having a patterned rate of change that is effective to modify the rotational speed of the collection during package build-up to cause the linear rate of strand collection to approach in general the linear rate of strand feed;

means engaging the linear material between the rotary means and collector for sensing differences between the linear rate of strand feed and the linear rate of strand collection; and

means effective in response to the sensed differences between the rate of strand feed and linear rate of strand collection to change the patterned rate of change of the control signal to bring the linear rate strand collection into conformity with the actual linear rate of strand feed.

6. Apparatus of claim 5 in which the means for sensing the differences between the linear rate of strand feed and linear rate of strand collection comprises a pivotally mounted longitudinal member, a guide on the free end of the longitudinal member for engagement with the linear material and means for biasing the longitudinal member to establish a selected tension in the linear material.

7. Apparatus for producing glass strand comprising:

means for supplying molten glass streams for attenuation into continuous glass filaments;

means for gathering the glass filaments into a glass strand;

rotary means for simultaneously attenuating the glass filaments and feeding the glass strand; a rotatable collector for collection of the strand into a wound package;

means for rotating the collector;

means for supplying a control signal having a patterned rate of change that is effective to modify the rotational speed of the collector during package build-up to cause a linear rate of strand collection to approach in general the linear rate of strand feed;

means for sensing differences between the linear rate of strand feed and the linear rate of strand collection; and

means effective in response to the sensed differences between the linear rate of strand feed and linear rate of strand collection to change the patterned rate of change of the control signal to bring the linear rate of strand collection into conformity with the actual linear rate of strand feed.

8. Apparatus for producing glass strand comprising:

means for supplying molten glass streams for attenuation into continuous glass filaments;

means for gathering the filaments into a glass strand;

a rotatable pulling wheel for engagement with the glass strand for simultaneously attenuating the glass filaments and feeding the glass strand; means for rotating the pulling wheel;

a rotatable collector for collection of the glass strand into a wound package;

means for rotating the collector;

means for supplying a control signal having a patterned rate of change that is effective to modify the rotational speed of the collector during package build-up to cause the linear strand collection speed to appraoch in general the linear strand feed speed;

means engaging the strand between the pulling wheel and collection for sensing differences between the linear strand feed speed and the linear strand collection speed; and

means responsive to the sensed speed differences effective to change the patterned rate of change of the control signal to bring the linear strand collection speed into matched relationship with the actual linear strand feed speed.

9. Apparatus for packaging linear material comprising:

means for feeding linear material at a constant linear speed;

a rotatable collector for collection of the linear material into a wound package;

means for rotating the collector;

means for modifyingthe rotational speed of the collector in accordance with a predetermined rate of change which in general will effect a package build-up at a constant linear material speed matched to the linear feed speed of the material;

means for sensing the variations in length between the feeding means and collector as an indication of the differences in speed between the linear feed speed and the linear collection speed of the material; and

means for modifying the predetermined rate of rotational speed change in response to sensed speed differences effective to bring the linear collection speed into matched relationship with the actual linear fed speed.

10. Apparatus for collection strand comprising:

a rotary means for feeding strand at a constant linear speed;

a rotatable collector for collection of the strand into a wound package;

means for rotating the collector;

means for supplying a control signal having a straight line rate of change that is effective to reduce the rotational speed of the collector generally in accordance with package build-up;

means engaging the linear material between the rotary means and collector for sensing differences between the linear rate of strand feed and the linear rate of strand collection; and

means responsive to the sensed differences between the linear rate of feed and collection effective to change the straight line rate of change of the control signal to bring the linear rate of strand collection into conformity with the actual linear rate of strand feed.

11. Apparatus for collecting strand comprising:

means for feeding strand;

a rotatable collector for collection of the strand into a wound package;

drive means for rotating the collector comprising a clutch;

means for supplying a reference signal having a patterned rate of change that is effective to control the percentage of slippage of the clutch according to such patterned rate and thereby modify the rotational speed of the collector during package buildup to cause the linear rate strand collection to approach in general the linear rate of strand feed;

means for sensing differences between the linear rate of strand feed and the linear rate of strand collection; and

means effective in response to the sensed differences in the rates of strand feed and collectionto change the patterned rate of change of the control signal to modify the percentage of clutch slip and thereby bring the linear rate of strand collection into conformity with the actual linear rate of strand feed.

12. Apparatus of claim 11 in which the clutch is an electrical eddy-current clutch.

13. Apparatus for collecting strand comprising:

means for feeding strand;

a rotatable collector upon which strand is collected as a wound package;

variable speed drive for rotating the collector; and

control means for controlling the speed of the variable speed drive to maintain a strand collection speed equal to the strand feed speed throughout formation of the package including a transducer for sensing the differences between the strand collection speed and the strand feed speed and for supplying electrical control signals proportional to such differences, means for supplying a constant electrical signal, an integrator arranged to receive the control signals from the transducer and means for algebraically summing the constant electrical signal and the changing electrical signal from the integrator, the control means being arranged to provide the algebraic summations of the signals from the integrator and the constant reference signal to the variable speed drive, such signal summations being effective to keep the strand collection speed equal to the actual strand feed speed.

14. Apparatus of claim 13 in which the variable speed drive includes a variable speed electric motor and the control means is arranged to provide the signal summations to the motor.

15. Apparatus of claim 13 in which the variable speed drive includes a constant speed electric motor, an eddy-current clutch driven by the motor, the percentage of the rotational output of the motor being controlled by magnetic flux of the eddy-current clutch, and drive means connecting the rotational output of the eddy-current clutch with the collector, and in which the control means is arranged to provide the signal summations to the eddy-current clutch to modify the strength of magnetic flux and thereby change the rotational speed of the collector.

16. The method of collecting strand comprising:

feeding linear material at a predetermined linear rate to a collector;

rotating the collector to wind a package;

supplying a control signal having a patterned rate of change that is effective to modify the rotational speed of the collector during package build-up to cause the linear rate of strand collection to approach in general the linear rate of strand feed; sensing differences between the linear rate of strand feed and the linear rate of strand collection; and changing the patterned rate of change of the control signal in response to the sensed differences between the linear rates of feed and collection to bring the linear rate of strand collection into conformity with the actual linear rate of strand feed.

17. The method of collecting strand comprising:

feeding strand at a constant linear speed to a collector for collection into a wound package;

rotating the collector to wind a package;

supplying a control signal having a patterned rate of change that is effective to modify the rotational speed of the collector during package build-up to cause the linear rate of collection in general to approach the constant linear rate of strand feed;

sensing differences between the linear rate of strand feed and the linear rate of strand collection; and

changing the patterned rate of change of the control signal in response to the sensed differences between the linear rates of feed and collection to bring the linear rate of strand collection into conformity with the constant linear rate of strand feed.

18. The method of producing glass strand comprising:

supplying molten glass streams;

attenuating glass filaments from the molten glass streams by a rotating pulling wheel;

gathering the glass filaments into a glass strand;

feeding the glass strand by the rotating pulling wheel to a rotating collector for collection of the strand into a wound package;

rotating the collector to wind a package;

supplying a control signal having a patterned rate of change that is effective to modify the rotational speed of the collector during package build-up to cause a linear rate of strand collection speed to approach in general the linear rate of strand feed;

sensing differences between the linear rate of strand feed and the linear rate of strand collection; and

changing the patterned rate of change of the control signal in response to the sensed differences between the linear rates of feed and collection to bring the linear rate of strand collection into conformity with the actual linear rate of strand feed.

19. The method of collecting strand comprising:

feeding strand at a constant linear speed to a rotating collector for collection into a wound package;

rotating the collector to wind a package;

supplying a control signal having a rate of change that is temporarily effective to modify the rotational speed of the collector during package buildup to cause the linear rate of strand collection to be matched to the constant linear rate of strand feed;

sensing differences between the linear rate of strand feed and the linear rate of strand collection; and

changing the rate of change of the control signal in response to the sensed differences between the linear rates of feed and collection to keep the linear rate of strand collection in matched relationship with the constant linear rate of strand feed.

20. Apparatus for packaging linear material'comprising:

material to approach in general the linear rate of feed of the material;

means for sensing differences between the linear rate of feed and the linear rate of collection of the material; and means effective in response to the sensed differences between the linear rate of feed and linear rate of collection to bring the linear rate of collection of the material into conformity with the actual linear rate of feed of the material.

21. Apparatus of claim 20 in which the means for feeding linear material is a rotary device.

22. Apparatus of claim 20 in which the means for feeding the linear material includes means for feeding the linear material at uniform linear speeds.

23. The method of collecting strand comprising:

feeding linear material at a predetermined linear rate to a collector; rotating the collector to wind a package; supplying a control signal having a patterned rate of change that is effective to modify the rotational speed of the collector during package build-up to cause the linear rate of strand collection to approach in general the linear rate of strand feed;

sensing differences between the linear rate of strand feed and the linear rate of strand collection; and

bringing the linear rate of strand collection into conformity with the actual linear rate of strand feed in response to the sensed differences between the linear rates of feed and collection.

24. The method of collecting strand comprising:

feeding linear material at a predetermined linear rate to a collector; rotating the collector to wind a package; supplying a control signal having a patterned rate of change that is effective to modify the rotational speed of the collector during package build-up to cause the linear rate of collection in general to approach the constant linear rate of strand feed;

sensing differences between the linear rate of strand feed and the linear rate of strand collection; and

bringing the linear rate of strand collection into conformity with the constant linear rate of strand feed in response to the sensed differences between the linear rates of feed and collection.

25. The method of producing glass strand comprising:

supplying molten glass streams;

attenuating glass filaments from the molten glass streams by a rotating pulling wheel;

gathering the glass filaments into a glass strand;

feeding the glass strand by the rotating pulling wheel to a rotating collector for collection of the strand into a wound package;

rotating the collector to wind a package;

supplying a control signal having a patterned rate of change that is effective to modify the rotational speed of the collector during package build-up to cause a linear rate of strand collection speed to approach in general the linear rate of strand feed; sensing differences between the linear rate of strand feed and the linear rate of strand collection; and

bringing the linear rate of strand collection into conformity with the actual linear rate of strand feed in response to the sensed differences between the linear rates of feed and collection.

26. Apparatus for processing linear material comprising:

means for feeding said linear material; means for receiving the fed material, the speed of one of the means to be matched to the speed of the other means; means for supplying a control signal having a variable patterned rate of change that is effective to modify the speed of one of said means according to said pattern; means for sensing differences between the feeding speed and the receiving speed; and means effective in response to the sensed differences between the speeds to vary the patterned control signal to bring the speed of the one means into matched relationship with the speed of the other means. 27. Apparatus for processing linear material comprising:

means for linearly feeding linear material;

means for receiving the fed material, the speed of one of the means to be matched to the speed of the other means;

means for sensing differences in length of linear material between the two means established by differences in feeding and collecting speeds;

means responsive to the sensed difference in length for supplying a signal corresponding to the magnitude of the sensed difference; and

means responsive to the difference signal to supply a patterned control signal effective to gradually bring the speed of the one means into matched relationship with the speed of the other means, the means for supplying the patterned control signal being capable of changing the pattern of its control signal in response to changes in magnitude of the difference signal. 

1. Apparatus for packaging linear material comprising: means for feeding linear material; a rotatable collector for collection of the material into a wound package; means for rotating the collector; means for supplying a control signal having a patterned rate of change that is effective to modify the rotational speed of the collector during package build-up to cause the linear rate of collection of the material to approach in general the linear rate of feed of the material; means for sensing differences between the linear rate of feed and the linear rate of collection of the material; and means effective in response to the sensed differences between the linear rate of feed and linear rate of collection to change the patterned rate of change of the control signal to bring the linear rate of collection of the material into conformity with the actual linear rate of feed of the material.
 2. Apparatus of claim 1 in which the means for feeding linear material is a rotary device.
 3. Apparatus of claim 2 in which the means for feeding the linear material includes means For feeding the linear material at uniform linear speeds.
 4. Apparatus for collecting strand comprising: means for feeding strand at a constant linear speed; a rotatable collector for collection of the strand into a wound package; means for rotating the collector; means for supplying a control signal having a patterned rate of change that is effective to modify the rotational speed of the collector during package build-up to cause the linear rate of collection to approach in general the constant linear rate of feed; means for sensing differences between the linear rate of strand feed and the linear rate of strand collection; and means effective in response to the sensed differences between the rate of feed and rate of collection to change the patterned rate of change of the control signal to bring the linear rate of strand collection into conformity with the constant linear rate of strand feed.
 5. Apparatus for collecting strand comprising: a rotary means for feeding strand at a constant linear speed; a rotatable collector for collection of the strand into a wound package; means for rotating the collector; means for supplying a control signal having a patterned rate of change that is effective to modify the rotational speed of the collection during package build-up to cause the linear rate of strand collection to approach in general the linear rate of strand feed; means engaging the linear material between the rotary means and collector for sensing differences between the linear rate of strand feed and the linear rate of strand collection; and means effective in response to the sensed differences between the rate of strand feed and linear rate of strand collection to change the patterned rate of change of the control signal to bring the linear rate strand collection into conformity with the actual linear rate of strand feed.
 6. Apparatus of claim 5 in which the means for sensing the differences between the linear rate of strand feed and linear rate of strand collection comprises a pivotally mounted longitudinal member, a guide on the free end of the longitudinal member for engagement with the linear material and means for biasing the longitudinal member to establish a selected tension in the linear material.
 7. Apparatus for producing glass strand comprising: means for supplying molten glass streams for attenuation into continuous glass filaments; means for gathering the glass filaments into a glass strand; rotary means for simultaneously attenuating the glass filaments and feeding the glass strand; a rotatable collector for collection of the strand into a wound package; means for rotating the collector; means for supplying a control signal having a patterned rate of change that is effective to modify the rotational speed of the collector during package build-up to cause a linear rate of strand collection to approach in general the linear rate of strand feed; means for sensing differences between the linear rate of strand feed and the linear rate of strand collection; and means effective in response to the sensed differences between the linear rate of strand feed and linear rate of strand collection to change the patterned rate of change of the control signal to bring the linear rate of strand collection into conformity with the actual linear rate of strand feed.
 8. Apparatus for producing glass strand comprising: means for supplying molten glass streams for attenuation into continuous glass filaments; means for gathering the filaments into a glass strand; a rotatable pulling wheel for engagement with the glass strand for simultaneously attenuating the glass filaments and feeding the glass strand; means for rotating the pulling wheel; a rotatable collector for collection of the glass strand into a wound package; means for rotating the collector; means for supplying a control signal having a patterned rate of change that Is effective to modify the rotational speed of the collector during package build-up to cause the linear strand collection speed to appraoch in general the linear strand feed speed; means engaging the strand between the pulling wheel and collection for sensing differences between the linear strand feed speed and the linear strand collection speed; and means responsive to the sensed speed differences effective to change the patterned rate of change of the control signal to bring the linear strand collection speed into matched relationship with the actual linear strand feed speed.
 9. Apparatus for packaging linear material comprising: means for feeding linear material at a constant linear speed; a rotatable collector for collection of the linear material into a wound package; means for rotating the collector; means for modifying the rotational speed of the collector in accordance with a predetermined rate of change which in general will effect a package build-up at a constant linear material speed matched to the linear feed speed of the material; means for sensing the variations in length between the feeding means and collector as an indication of the differences in speed between the linear feed speed and the linear collection speed of the material; and means for modifying the predetermined rate of rotational speed change in response to sensed speed differences effective to bring the linear collection speed into matched relationship with the actual linear fed speed.
 10. Apparatus for collection strand comprising: a rotary means for feeding strand at a constant linear speed; a rotatable collector for collection of the strand into a wound package; means for rotating the collector; means for supplying a control signal having a straight line rate of change that is effective to reduce the rotational speed of the collector generally in accordance with package build-up; means engaging the linear material between the rotary means and collector for sensing differences between the linear rate of strand feed and the linear rate of strand collection; and means responsive to the sensed differences between the linear rate of feed and collection effective to change the straight line rate of change of the control signal to bring the linear rate of strand collection into conformity with the actual linear rate of strand feed.
 11. Apparatus for collecting strand comprising: means for feeding strand; a rotatable collector for collection of the strand into a wound package; drive means for rotating the collector comprising a clutch; means for supplying a reference signal having a patterned rate of change that is effective to control the percentage of slippage of the clutch according to such patterned rate and thereby modify the rotational speed of the collector during package build-up to cause the linear rate strand collection to approach in general the linear rate of strand feed; means for sensing differences between the linear rate of strand feed and the linear rate of strand collection; and means effective in response to the sensed differences in the rates of strand feed and collection to change the patterned rate of change of the control signal to modify the percentage of clutch slip and thereby bring the linear rate of strand collection into conformity with the actual linear rate of strand feed.
 12. Apparatus of claim 11 in which the clutch is an electrical eddy-current clutch.
 13. Apparatus for collecting strand comprising: means for feeding strand; a rotatable collector upon which strand is collected as a wound package; variable speed drive for rotating the collector; and control means for controlling the speed of the variable speed drive to maintain a strand collection speed equal to the strand feed speed throughout formation of the package including a transducer for sensing the differences between the strand collection speed and the strand feed speed and for supplying electrical control signals proportional to such differences, means for supplying a constant electrical signal, an integrator arranged to receive the control signals from the transducer and means for algebraically summing the constant electrical signal and the changing electrical signal from the integrator, the control means being arranged to provide the algebraic summations of the signals from the integrator and the constant reference signal to the variable speed drive, such signal summations being effective to keep the strand collection speed equal to the actual strand feed speed.
 14. Apparatus of claim 13 in which the variable speed drive includes a variable speed electric motor and the control means is arranged to provide the signal summations to the motor.
 15. Apparatus of claim 13 in which the variable speed drive includes a constant speed electric motor, an eddy-current clutch driven by the motor, the percentage of the rotational output of the motor being controlled by magnetic flux of the eddy-current clutch, and drive means connecting the rotational output of the eddy-current clutch with the collector, and in which the control means is arranged to provide the signal summations to the eddy-current clutch to modify the strength of magnetic flux and thereby change the rotational speed of the collector.
 16. The method of collecting strand comprising: feeding linear material at a predetermined linear rate to a collector; rotating the collector to wind a package; supplying a control signal having a patterned rate of change that is effective to modify the rotational speed of the collector during package build-up to cause the linear rate of strand collection to approach in general the linear rate of strand feed; sensing differences between the linear rate of strand feed and the linear rate of strand collection; and changing the patterned rate of change of the control signal in response to the sensed differences between the linear rates of feed and collection to bring the linear rate of strand collection into conformity with the actual linear rate of strand feed.
 17. The method of collecting strand comprising: feeding strand at a constant linear speed to a collector for collection into a wound package; rotating the collector to wind a package; supplying a control signal having a patterned rate of change that is effective to modify the rotational speed of the collector during package build-up to cause the linear rate of collection in general to approach the constant linear rate of strand feed; sensing differences between the linear rate of strand feed and the linear rate of strand collection; and changing the patterned rate of change of the control signal in response to the sensed differences between the linear rates of feed and collection to bring the linear rate of strand collection into conformity with the constant linear rate of strand feed.
 18. The method of producing glass strand comprising: supplying molten glass streams; attenuating glass filaments from the molten glass streams by a rotating pulling wheel; gathering the glass filaments into a glass strand; feeding the glass strand by the rotating pulling wheel to a rotating collector for collection of the strand into a wound package; rotating the collector to wind a package; supplying a control signal having a patterned rate of change that is effective to modify the rotational speed of the collector during package build-up to cause a linear rate of strand collection speed to approach in general the linear rate of strand feed; sensing differences between the linear rate of strand feed and the linear rate of strand collection; and changing the patterned rate of change of the control signal in response to the sensed differences between the linear rates of feed and collection to bring the linear rate of strand collection into conformity with the actual linear rate of strand feed.
 19. The metHod of collecting strand comprising: feeding strand at a constant linear speed to a rotating collector for collection into a wound package; rotating the collector to wind a package; supplying a control signal having a rate of change that is temporarily effective to modify the rotational speed of the collector during package build-up to cause the linear rate of strand collection to be matched to the constant linear rate of strand feed; sensing differences between the linear rate of strand feed and the linear rate of strand collection; and changing the rate of change of the control signal in response to the sensed differences between the linear rates of feed and collection to keep the linear rate of strand collection in matched relationship with the constant linear rate of strand feed.
 20. Apparatus for packaging linear material comprising: means for feeding linear material; a rotatable collector for collection of the material into a wound package; means for rotating the collector; means for supplying a control signal having a patterned rate of change that is effective to modify the rotational speed of the collector during package build-up to cause the linear rate of collection of the material to approach in general the linear rate of feed of the material; means for sensing differences between the linear rate of feed and the linear rate of collection of the material; and means effective in response to the sensed differences between the linear rate of feed and linear rate of collection to bring the linear rate of collection of the material into conformity with the actual linear rate of feed of the material.
 21. Apparatus of claim 20 in which the means for feeding linear material is a rotary device.
 22. Apparatus of claim 20 in which the means for feeding the linear material includes means for feeding the linear material at uniform linear speeds.
 23. The method of collecting strand comprising: feeding linear material at a predetermined linear rate to a collector; rotating the collector to wind a package; supplying a control signal having a patterned rate of change that is effective to modify the rotational speed of the collector during package build-up to cause the linear rate of strand collection to approach in general the linear rate of strand feed; sensing differences between the linear rate of strand feed and the linear rate of strand collection; and bringing the linear rate of strand collection into conformity with the actual linear rate of strand feed in response to the sensed differences between the linear rates of feed and collection.
 24. The method of collecting strand comprising: feeding linear material at a predetermined linear rate to a collector; rotating the collector to wind a package; supplying a control signal having a patterned rate of change that is effective to modify the rotational speed of the collector during package build-up to cause the linear rate of collection in general to approach the constant linear rate of strand feed; sensing differences between the linear rate of strand feed and the linear rate of strand collection; and bringing the linear rate of strand collection into conformity with the constant linear rate of strand feed in response to the sensed differences between the linear rates of feed and collection.
 25. The method of producing glass strand comprising: supplying molten glass streams; attenuating glass filaments from the molten glass streams by a rotating pulling wheel; gathering the glass filaments into a glass strand; feeding the glass strand by the rotating pulling wheel to a rotating collector for collection of the strand into a wound package; rotating the collector to wind a package; supplying a control signal having a patterned rate of change that is effective to modify the rotational speed of the collector during package build-up to cause a linear rate of strand collection speed tO approach in general the linear rate of strand feed; sensing differences between the linear rate of strand feed and the linear rate of strand collection; and bringing the linear rate of strand collection into conformity with the actual linear rate of strand feed in response to the sensed differences between the linear rates of feed and collection.
 26. Apparatus for processing linear material comprising: means for feeding said linear material; means for receiving the fed material, the speed of one of the means to be matched to the speed of the other means; means for supplying a control signal having a variable patterned rate of change that is effective to modify the speed of one of said means according to said pattern; means for sensing differences between the feeding speed and the receiving speed; and means effective in response to the sensed differences between the speeds to vary the patterned control signal to bring the speed of the one means into matched relationship with the speed of the other means.
 27. Apparatus for processing linear material comprising: means for linearly feeding linear material; means for receiving the fed material, the speed of one of the means to be matched to the speed of the other means; means for sensing differences in length of linear material between the two means established by differences in feeding and collecting speeds; means responsive to the sensed difference in length for supplying a signal corresponding to the magnitude of the sensed difference; and means responsive to the difference signal to supply a patterned control signal effective to gradually bring the speed of the one means into matched relationship with the speed of the other means, the means for supplying the patterned control signal being capable of changing the pattern of its control signal in response to changes in magnitude of the difference signal. 